Rick Perry, a Republican, is considering a run for president

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AUSTIN, Texas — Doctors used adult stem cells to help Texas Gov. Rick Perry with his back surgery last month.

A spokesman said the stem cells were used in an "innovative way." The cells were taken from Perry's body and applied to the area where doctors decompressed a nerve and fused part of his spine. Adult stem cell therapy is different from using embryonic cells, which Perry opposes.

The Food and Drug Administration has not approved using stem cells to help people heal from surgery, but experimentation is common. Researchers do warn, however, of a slight increased cancer risk.